Adding Video To A Show

[jukingeo]

Hello All,

After completing my second year using Vixen and a Ren16 controller, next year I am going to upgrade to a Ren24 controller. In addition I would like to not only sync music to lights, but also a video projection that I would like to put on a Window that is above and in back of my show.

Now, as far as I know Vixen cannot handle video, so I would need to use another piece of software that can handle video but also sync external triggers. First thing that comes to mind is a video editing program that can handle midi. But how could one interface this to a Renard controller? Would it have to be done via DMX?

Anyway, I just figured I would drop this line and pick the brains of those who have been doing DIY Christmas much longer than I have. Perhaps a simple solution already exists?

Thank You,

Geo

[Virtus]

Geo,
You can use the Launcher output plugin and Network triggering to accomplish this.

Basic Launcher (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2624) usage.

Great write up on triggering (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4625&highlight=Launcher+network+trigger).

[jukingeo]

Geo,
You can use the Launcher output plugin and Network triggering to accomplish this.

Basic Launcher (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2624) usage.

Great write up on triggering (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4625&highlight=Launcher+network+trigger).

Hello Virtus (and all)

I was a bit on hiatus for a while and I wanted to follow up on the possibility of the inclusion of video to Vixen.

I took a quick peek at this "Launcher" plug-in, but I seriously doubt it is what I am after. It looks like something if you want to start a program in your sequence, but I don't see how that could keep a video program in sync with lights. Even if you started a video at the same time, I doubt the program would keep sync.

Bottom line is that I would like to keep all of the functionality with Vixen under audio, but for video use.

Thanx,

Geo

[Greg in Canby]

Bottom line is that I would like to keep all of the functionality with Vixen under audio, but for video use.
Geo
How totally cool would that be!
Greg

[animal]

I used vixen my first 3 years and I loved it. I tried to get the video to work with vixen with not great results. I had to switch to Light Show Pro. Don't get me wrong I love vixen and I still use it for some of my animation. It's a great program. I just wanted to engage with the video. LSP has a big learning curve, but once I got past that. It worked flawlessly. You can look at my intro here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2Xrd93Gj8


Just my thoughts,
animal

[mmulvenna]

I used vixen my first 3 years and I loved it. I tried to get the video to work with vixen with not great results. I had to switch to Light Show Pro. Don't get me wrong I love vixen and I still use it for some of my animation. It's a great program. I just wanted to engage with the video. LSP has a big learning curve, but once I got past that. It worked flawlessly. You can look at my intro here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2Xrd93Gj8


Just my thoughts,
animal

I have used LSP fro 2 years now and really like it. I have 33 sequences and all but 3 of them have a corresponding video which works wonderfully. With LSP, you can do video 2 different ways. You can sync do the programming to an MP3 and then use the video as a media clip, or you can do the programming to a video that has an audio track. I use the MP3 method.

[jukingeo]

I used vixen my first 3 years and I loved it. I tried to get the video to work with vixen with not great results. I had to switch to Light Show Pro. Don't get me wrong I love vixen and I still use it for some of my animation. It's a great program. I just wanted to engage with the video. LSP has a big learning curve, but once I got past that. It worked flawlessly. You can look at my intro here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2Xrd93Gj8


Just my thoughts,
animal

Hello Animal,

This is exactly what I am looking for (based on your display...which is great BTW).

So Light Show Pro, huh? I guess I will swing over to that link and take a peek!

When you say learning curve...how difficult is it to learn? Can you use the Renard controllers with it?

Thanx for the info.


I have used LSP fro 2 years now and really like it. I have 33 sequences and all but 3 of them have a corresponding video which works wonderfully. With LSP, you can do video 2 different ways. You can sync do the programming to an MP3 and then use the video as a media clip, or you can do the programming to a video that has an audio track. I use the MP3 method.

Sounds great. I can't really visualize the programming methods you mention, so it is a trip to that website to find out some more.

Thanx for the info.

Geo

[mmulvenna]

Hello Animal,

This is exactly what I am looking for (based on your display...which is great BTW).

So Light Show Pro, huh? I guess I will swing over to that link and take a peek!

When you say learning curve...how difficult is it to learn? Can you use the Renard controllers with it?

Thanx for the info.



Sounds great. I can't really visualize the programming methods you mention, so it is a trip to that website to find out some more.

Thanx for the info.

Geo

Hi Geo,

You can use the following protocols with LSP
Renard
DMX
Animated Lighting
x10
e1.31
LOR
pixelnet

Let me know if I can answer any other questions regarding LSP.

Hope that helps

Mike

[animal]

Hey Geo,

It took aliitle while to get use to the program. I did alot of test sequences to get a feel for not useing a grid. Once I got through the learning curve. It be came second nature not useing a grid. I too used the video like Mike as an media clip which alowed me to place it and move it any where with in the sequence. LSP is a powerfull program with alot of bells and whisles. My only sugestions is for the first year. Keep it simple. (fade ins, fade outs, chases, blends, twinkles, etc.), and get into LSP forums and chat rooms. There are great people there that can answer any questions to get thru your issues. Mike (mmulvenna) has been a great help to me.

Good luck,
animal

[mmulvenna]

Hey Geo,

It took aliitle while to get use to the program. I did alot of test sequences to get a feel for not useing a grid. Once I got through the learning curve. It be came second nature not useing a grid. I too used the video like Mike as an media clip which alowed me to place it and move it any where with in the sequence. LSP is a powerfull program with alot of bells and whisles. My only sugestions is for the first year. Keep it simple. (fade ins, fade outs, chases, blends, twinkles, etc.), and get into LSP forums and chat rooms. There are great people there that can answer any questions to get thru your issues. Mike (mmulvenna) has been a great help to me.

Good luck,
animal

Animal, great suggestion for the first year. I would also suggest anyone considering the use of LSP watch the videos on the home page and also the videos in the "TIPS and TRICKS" Section of the forum. They are located in a sticky at the top of the forum.

There are users on the LSP forum that are alwasy glad to help whenever they can so don't hesitate to ask any question regarding the use of LSP.

[animal]

I'll take that $20.00 now Mike.


Only kidding,
Geo, there's great support with LSP and that played a big part with my dicision.


animal

[jukingeo]

Hi Geo,

You can use the following protocols with LSP
Renard
DMX
Animated Lighting
x10
e1.31
LOR
pixelnet

Let me know if I can answer any other questions regarding LSP.

Hope that helps

Mike


Hello Mike

Nice to know that handles a few formats and I CAN use the Renard controllers with it.


Hey Geo,

It took aliitle while to get use to the program. I did alot of test sequences to get a feel for not useing a grid. Once I got through the learning curve. It be came second nature not useing a grid. I too used the video like Mike as an media clip which alowed me to place it and move it any where with in the sequence. LSP is a powerfull program with alot of bells and whisles. My only sugestions is for the first year. Keep it simple. (fade ins, fade outs, chases, blends, twinkles, etc.), and get into LSP forums and chat rooms. There are great people there that can answer any questions to get thru your issues. Mike (mmulvenna) has been a great help to me.

Good luck,
animal

What kind of editing system does LSP use? What do you mean by 'moving the video?'

I have not looked in depth on the website as of yet (busy lifestyle). But I am mainly looking for a perfect SYNC to video.


Animal, great suggestion for the first year. I would also suggest anyone considering the use of LSP watch the videos on the home page and also the videos in the "TIPS and TRICKS" Section of the forum. They are located in a sticky at the top of the forum.

There are users on the LSP forum that are alwasy glad to help whenever they can so don't hesitate to ask any question regarding the use of LSP.

Ok, sounds good. Hopefully with the rain today I can do some more reading :).

Thanx guys!

Geo

[mmulvenna]

What kind of editing system does LSP use? What do you mean by 'moving the video?'
Geo

If you mean Video editing it does not you edit the video outside of LSP.

Moving the video means you can place it anywhere you want within the time line. It normally starts at the very beginning but it does not have to.

[jukingeo]

If you mean Video editing it does not you edit the video outside of LSP.

Moving the video means you can place it anywhere you want within the time line. It normally starts at the very beginning but it does not have to.

What I meant by editing system, I meant in reference to programming the lights in relation to the video. Does LSP use the same "piano roll" system that Vixen does, or is it a totally different system.

So basically with the video you can shift the position? How well can you sync up the lighting events to the video? I know that Vixen is pretty precise. Naturally I would be looking for the same kind of precision with LSP.

I did some reading on the site today and it certainly seems the LSP has quite a few features up on Vixen...the big one being able to "play the lights" LIVE. That certainly is cool. As it is I have been using Vixen for other things besides Christmas lighting. But I am certainly ready to take it to the next level with LSP.

Thanx,

Geo

[animal]

What I meant by editing system, I meant in reference to programming the lights in relation to the video. Does LSP use the same "piano roll" system that Vixen does, or is it a totally different system.

So basically with the video you can shift the position? How well can you sync up the lighting events to the video? I know that Vixen is pretty precise. Naturally I would be looking for the same kind of precision with LSP.

I did some reading on the site today and it certainly seems the LSP has quite a few features up on Vixen...the big one being able to "play the lights" LIVE. That certainly is cool. As it is I have been using Vixen for other things besides Christmas lighting. But I am certainly ready to take it to the next level with LSP.

Thanx,

Geo
Here's a quick video on how you can use media clips with LSP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_DNSRtk_GM&feature=related

animal

[jukingeo]

I have used LSP fro 2 years now and really like it. I have 33 sequences and all but 3 of them have a corresponding video which works wonderfully. With LSP, you can do video 2 different ways. You can sync do the programming to an MP3 and then use the video as a media clip, or you can do the programming to a video that has an audio track. I use the MP3 method.

Hello Mike,

I am starting to use LSP right now and I am on the 60 day trial. While I can see the program has quite a few options, I am finding it difficult to use. I am hoping that passes in time.

However, when reading up on as much information as possible, I came across the testimonials on the company's web site and saw a post made by you in regards to an issue with the sequencer that forced you to redo your sequence "from scratch". Naturally I am concerned about this considering that it sometimes takes WEEKS to sequence a single song.

Do you know if this problem was corrected? I sure hate to invest $80 in a program that doesn't work right.

Thanx,
Geo